SEVIERVILLE, Tenn — The Salvation Army in Sevier County and Cocke County is hosting an angel tree program, collecting gifts for families who may not otherwise be able to get gifts for children over the holidays. The final day to drop off gifts is on Dec. 8, before the nonprofit distributes purchases.
As part of the program, trees are displayed in different retail stores and locations across the area. On those trees are tags donors can use to purchase gifts for families. On those tags, donors can learn more about where to drop off gifts and the kinds of gifts needed.
Melissa Pole, a lieutenant with the Salvation Army, said if anyone wants to participate in the program and buy gifts for children in need, they should call the Salvation Army at 865-908-4010. She said all the tags are gone from the trees, but some have not been returned. She also said some of the items are missing.
"Sometimes, you know, people are able to sponsor and they're only able to give so much. And so, there's a few items that the children have asked for that will be missing," said Pole.
She said this year, 70 new children were added to the program to receive gifts. She also said the nonprofit was not anticipating that increase. Children up to 12 years old can get gifts through the program.
"If you can understand, inflation has really hit us hard. And so, there's more families that are in need. So, right now we have 530 angels that we are actually providing Christmas for," she said.
Pole said the nonprofit was still processing the donations they received so far.
Gift distribution is set for Dec. 11 starting at 8 a.m. in Cocke County, at the Boys and Girls Club of Dumplin Valley in Newport. It's set for Dec. 18 and Dec. 19 in Sevier County, from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. at the Christmas Center near 1147 Fox Landing Court.
